Book holder and book stand

ABSTRACT

A book holder and book stand for a book having its binding in its top and having a front and a back cover, whereby the book is opened by folding the front cover and one or more pages up over the binding, the holder and stand comprising a front frame, a back frame pivotally connected to the front frame at the upper ends thereof for swinging between a collapsed position in which the frames are generally coplanar and an open position in which the lower ends of the frame are spaced apart for supporting the frames in an upright position. The book is resiliently gripped and held on the book stand by means of a pair of generally horizontal bars extending transversely of the frame sections at the top thereof and being spaced apart from one another a distance sufficient to permit the binding of the book to be inserted therebetween in such manner that the book binding is resiliently gripped by the bars and held in position on the stand when the stand is in its open position.

United States Patent [191 Surette 1 Sept. 17, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 342,197

[52] U.S. Cl. 248/452, 248/463 [51] Int. Cl A47b 97/04 [58] Field of Search 248/451, 452, 460, 463,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1913 Osborn 248/451 l2/l933 Dougherty 248/463 X Primary Examiner-William H. Schultz Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Koenig, Senniger, Powers and Leavitt [5 7 ABSTRACT A book holder and book stand for a book having its binding in its top and having a front and a back cover, whereby the book is opened by folding'the front cover and one or more pages up over the binding, the holder and stand comprising a front frame, a back frame pivotally connected to the front frame at the upper ends thereof for swinging between a collapsed position in which the frames are generally coplanar and an open position in which the lower ends of the frame are spaced apart for supporting the frames in an upright position. The book is resiliently gripped and held on the book stand by means of a pair of generally horizontal bars extending transversely of the frame sections at the top thereof and being spaced apart from one another a distance sufficient to permit the binding of the book to be inserted therebetween in such manner that the book binding is resiliently gripped bythe bars and held in position on the stand when the stand is in its open position.

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures BOOK HOLDER AND BOOK STAND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a holder and stand for holding an open book in an upright reading position, and more particularly relates to such a book holder and book stand which may be folded flat when not in use.

This invention is particularly concerned with a holder and stand for holding a specially constructed, hard cover book of the type generally utilized as a typewriting instruction or text book, in an upright, open position so that a student may readily refer to the book while typing therefrom. A typewriting instruction book is generally constructed with its binding at its top and has articulated or double-jointed front and back covers, whereby the book is opened by folding the front cover and one or more of the pages up over the binding. Thus, the book may be braced in an open position in which it rests on the bottom edges of the front and back covers. However, due to movement of the table caused by operation of the typewriter, these books tend to fall over or fail to remain open to the desired page. When this happens, the student must stop typing and reposition the book. This is quite distracting and may adversely affect the students typing speed and accuracy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision of a book holder and book stand which is adapted to hold a typewriter instruction book in a convenient, upright reading position; the provision of such a book holder which is stable and which will not fall over due to operation of the typewriter; the provision of such a book holder to which a typewriting instruction book may readily be applied to and removed from without damage to the book; the provision of such a book holder which is collapsible for storage; and the provision of such a book holder which is of rugged and economical construction. Other objects and features of this invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Briefly, a book holder and book stand of this invention is especially adapted for a book having its binding at its top and having a front cover and a back cover, whereby the book is opened by folding the front cover and one or more pages up over the binding. The book holder and book stand of this invention comprises a front frame, a back frame pivotally connected adjacent the upper ends thereof for relative movement between a collapsed position in which the frames are generally coplanar and an open position in which the lower ends of the frames are spaced apart from one another for supporting the frames in an inclined upright position, means for preventing opening of the frames beyond a desired position, and means at the top of the frames for gripping and holding the binding of the book when the frames are opened, this gripping means being adapted for insertion therein of the binding of the book when the frames are in their collapsed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a book holder and book stand of this invention in full-open position for holding a book in an open reading position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the book holder shown in FIG. 1 with a specially constructed book (shown in phantom) as it is applied to the book holder in its open reading position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of the book holder illustrating details of its front and back frame sections;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial side elevational view of the book holder illustrating the relative positions of the front and back frame sections when in its collapsed position;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with parts broken away illustrating swinging movement of the back frame section relative to the front frame section as the former moves from its open to its collapsed position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating movement of the back frame section from its collapsed position to its open position;

FIG. 7 is a partial side elevational view of a modification of a book holder and book stand of this invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective of the modified book holder shown in FIG. 7 in its full-open position.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, a book holder and book stand of this invention, indicated in its entirety at 1, is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 in its full-open position for holding a book 3 in an upright, open reading position. More particularly, the book holder and book stand of this invention is adapted to hold a specially constructed, hard-cover book of the type generally used for typewriting instructional testbooks in schools and colleges. As shown in FIG. 2, book 3 (shown in phantom) has a front cover 5, a back cover 7, a plurality of pages 9, and has its binding 11 at its top. The front and back covers have a first hinge line 13 adjacent the binding and a second hinge line about an inch below the first hinge line, thereby resulting in the covers of the book being articulated or double-jointed. The book is opened by folding the front cover and one or more of the pages 9 up over the binding 11, as shown in FIG. 2. The weight of the front cover and open pages prevents the book from closing.

The book holder of this invention is shown to comprise a front frame section 17 and a back frame section 19 pivotally connected to the front frame section at the upper ends thereof for swinging between a closedfolded or collapsed position in which it is generally coplanar with the front frame section (see FIGS. 4 and 6) and an open position (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 5) in which the lower ends of the frames are spaced apart from one another for supporting the frames in an inclined upright position. In accordance with this invention, means, generally indicated at 21, is provided for gripping and resiliently holding the binding 11 of book 3 so that the book may readily be installed on or removed from the book holder.

More particularly, front frame section 17 and back frame section 19 are preferably formed of relatively stiff, resilient wire. The front frame section is generally trapezoidally shaped, having an upper bar 23, a bottom or base bar 25, and side portions 27a, 27b with the upper bar somewhat wider than the base bar, and with the side portions somewhat longer than back cover 7 of the longest book anticipated to be held on the book stand. The front frame section may be formed of a single length of wire with the ends of the wire secured, as by welding, in end-to-end abutting relation. The back fr..me section 19 is shown to be fabricated from a lower or elongate U-shaped piece 29 and an upper or a flattened U-shaped piece 31 rigidly secured (welded) together, as indicated at 33, so that both pieces form an integral back frame section. The lower U-shaped piece 31 has a base portion 35 constituting the lower end of the back frame section, side portions 37a, 37b extending up from the base portion, and an ear portion or a stop 39a, 39b at the upper end of each side portion 37a, 37b, respectively, these stops extending laterally outward of the back frame section and being generally parallel to base portion 35. The upper, flattened U-shaped piece 31 has a central or base portion 41 extending transversely of the book holder at the'upper end of the back frame section. Leg portions 43a, 43b, one at each side of the base portion 41, extend outwardly therefrom and an outer portion 45a, 45b extends perpendicularly outwardly of the back frame section from the outer end of each leg portion 43a, 43b, respectively, these outer portions being substantially parallel to base portion 41. Upper bar 23 of the front frame section and base portion 41 of the back frame section are integral and movable with their respective frame sections as the frame sections move between their collapsed and open positions.

The side portions 27a, 27b of front frame section 17 each have a loop 47a, 47b, respectively formed therein adjacent their upper ends for pivotally receiving and holding captive the outer portions 45a, 45b, respectively, of the back frame section 19. Thus, outer portions 45a, 45b constitute trunnions on which the back frame section may swing as it moves between its collapsed position (see FIG. 3) and its full-open position (see FIGS. 1, 2 and Side portions 27a, 27b are bent, as indicated at 49 in FIG. 4, so that the upper ends of the side portions and upper bar 23 angle, forward away from the back frame section. As shown in FIG. 2, stops 39a, 39b are engageable with-their respective side portions 27a, 27b adjacent the loops 47a, 47b, thereby to prevent swinging of the back frame section beyond its full-open position.

Means 21 for resiliently gripping and holding the binding 11 of book 3 comprises upper bar 23 of the front frame section 17 and the elongate base portion 41 of the upper U-shaped piece 31 of the back frame section 19, this base portion constituting a lower bar. As shown in FIG. 3, upper bar 23 and lower bar 41 are generally parallel to one another, extend transversely of the book holder, and are spaced apart from one another a distance sufficient to permit the binding 11 of the book 3 to be inserted therebetween when the frames are in their collapsed position, and when the frames are in their open position the book binding'is firmly and resiliently gripped by the bars. Thus, a book may readily be installed on or removed from the book holder of this invention merely by inserting the binding between the bars and removing it therefrom without damage to the book. Generally, upper bar 23 and lower bar 41 are horizontal when the book stand is in its upright position and are generally parallel to one another. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate portion of the upper bar may beformed to be somewhat closer to the lower bar than its ends, thereby to increase the resilient gripping of the binding of a book inserted between the upper and lower bars.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, a camming action of the lower bar 41 is effected as the back frame section 19 is swung on trunnions 45a, 45b from its collapsed position to its full-open position, thereby to permit the binding 11 of book 3 readily to be inserted in or removed from between upper bar 23 and lower bar 41 when the book holder is in its collapsed position, and to securely grip the binding of the book when the book holder is in its full-open position. As shown in FIG. 4, with the frame sections in their collapsed position, the lower bar 41 is in an initial position in which it is spaced apart from the upper bar a distance sufficient to permit the binding 11 of the book readily to be inserted between the upper and lower bars. As the back frame section 19 is swung from its collapsed position to its fullopen position, the upper U-shaped piece 31 of the back frame section rotates about trunnions 45a, 45b and lower bar 41 rotates therewith from its initial position to an overcentered position (see FIG. 5) in which it is overcentered with respect to a line extending between the center of the trunnions and the center of top bar 23. When in its overcentered position, the lower bar 41 is spaced from the upper bar 23 a distance somewhat less than the thickness of the binding 11 of the book so as resiliently to grip the binding firmly between the bars. Also, .with the lower bar in its overcentered position and with the binding of the book gripped firmly therebetween, the front and back frames of the book holder are restrained from moving from their full-open to their collapsed position, and thus the overcentering of the bar constitutes locking means for preventing closing of the book holder when it is in its full-open position holding a book.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 a modification of the book holder 1 of this invention is shown, this modified book holder being designated 51 to distinguish it from book holder 1, and corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts in the two book holders. As shown, book holder 51 has a front frame section indicated at 53 which is generally similar to front frame section 17 but it does not have the bend 49 in its side portions 27a, 27b adjacent loops 47a, 47b. Book holder 51 also has a back frame section 55, having a lower U-shaped portion 57, similar to U-shaped portion 29 heretofore described, and an elongate bar 59 constituting a lower bar secured (welded), as indicated at 61, to the upper ends of the side portions 27a, 27b of the back frame section. This lower bar has portions, as indicated at 59a, 59b extending out beyond the sides of the front frame section, these portions constituting trunnions and being received in and held captive in loops 47a, 47b, respectively, thereby to enable swinging of the back frame section between its collapsed and open positions. Stops 39a, 39b on U-shaped portion 29 are engageable with side portions 27a, 27b, respectively, of the from frame section to prevent movement of the frame sections out beyond their full-open position.

It will be noted that due to the fact that lower bar 57 is coaxial with its trunnion ends 59a, 59b, there is no camming action of the lower bar as the frame sections are swung between their collapsed and full-open positions. The lower bar is spaced from the upper bar 23 a distance somewhat less than the thickness of binding 11 of the book, whereby the binding is resiliently gripped by the book holder regardless of the position of the front and back frame sections relative to one another.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A book holder and book stand for a book having its binding at its top and having a front cover and a back cover, whereby the book is opened by folding the front cover and one or more pages up over the binding, said holder and stand comprising a front frame and a rear frame pivotally connected adjacent the upper ends thereof for relative movement between a collapsed position in which the frames are generally coplanar and an open position in which the lower ends of the frames are spaced apart from one another for supporting the frames in an inclined upright position, means for preventing opening of the frames beyond a desired position, and means at the top of said frames for resiliently gripping and holding the binding of a book when the frames are opened, said gripping means being adapted for insertion therein of the binding of the book when the frames are in their collapsed position, said gripping means further comprising a pair of generally parallel bars extending transversely of the frames at the top thereof and spaced apart from one another a distance sufficient to permit the binding of said book to be inserted therebetween when the frames are in their collapsed position with one of said bars constituting a top bar being integral with said front frame and the other of said bars constituting a lower bar being movable with the back frame.

2. A book holder and book stand as set forth in claim 1 wherein said back frame has a pair of trunnions, one projecting laterally from each side thereof, said front frame having means for receiving said trunnions thereby to permit pivoting of the back frame relative to the front frame between said collapsed position and said open position.

3. A book holder and book stand as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for preventing opening of the frames comprises a pair of stops carried by said back frame, one at each side thereof, engageable with said front frame thereby to prevent swinging of said back frame relative to the front frame beyond its desired open position.

4. A book holder and book stand as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bars are formed with their intermediate portions spaced closer together than their end portions so as to enhance gripping of the binding of said book.

5. A book holder and book stand as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lower bar is spaced from said trunnion a predetermined distance whereby, starting with said front and back frames in their collapsed position, said lower bar is in an initial position in which it is spaced from the upper bar a distance sufficient to permit said binding readily to be inserted therebetween, said lower bar being movable from its initial position to an overcentered position upon movement of the back frame from its collapsed position to its open position, said lower bar, when in its overcentered position, resiliently gripping said binding firmly between said upper and lower bars, and when the binding of a book is so gripped, said frames being at least partially restrained from moving from their open to their folded positions.

6. A book holder and book stand as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lower bar and said trunnions are substantially coaxial, said lower bar being spaced from said upper bar a distance less than the thickness of the binding of a book to be held on said holder, whereby said binding, when inserted between said bars, is resiliently gripped thereby regardless of the relative position of said front and back frames.

7. A book holder and book stand as set forth in claim 1 wherein said front and back frames are made of relatively stiff, resilient wire. 

1. A book holder and book stand for a book having its binding at its top and having a front cover and a back cover, whereby the book is opened by folding the front cover and one or mOre pages up over the binding, said holder and stand comprising a front frame and a rear frame pivotally connected adjacent the upper ends thereof for relative movement between a collapsed position in which the frames are generally coplanar and an open position in which the lower ends of the frames are spaced apart from one another for supporting the frames in an inclined upright position, means for preventing opening of the frames beyond a desired position, and means at the top of said frames for resiliently gripping and holding the binding of a book when the frames are opened, said gripping means being adapted for insertion therein of the binding of the book when the frames are in their collapsed position, said gripping means further comprising a pair of generally parallel bars extending transversely of the frames at the top thereof and spaced apart from one another a distance sufficient to permit the binding of said book to be inserted therebetween when the frames are in their collapsed position with one of said bars constituting a top bar being integral with said front frame and the other of said bars constituting a lower bar being movable with the back frame.
 2. A book holder and book stand as set forth in claim 1 wherein said back frame has a pair of trunnions, one projecting laterally from each side thereof, said front frame having means for receiving said trunnions thereby to permit pivoting of the back frame relative to the front frame between said collapsed position and said open position.
 3. A book holder and book stand as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for preventing opening of the frames comprises a pair of stops carried by said back frame, one at each side thereof, engageable with said front frame thereby to prevent swinging of said back frame relative to the front frame beyond its desired open position.
 4. A book holder and book stand as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bars are formed with their intermediate portions spaced closer together than their end portions so as to enhance gripping of the binding of said book.
 5. A book holder and book stand as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lower bar is spaced from said trunnion a predetermined distance whereby, starting with said front and back frames in their collapsed position, said lower bar is in an initial position in which it is spaced from the upper bar a distance sufficient to permit said binding readily to be inserted therebetween, said lower bar being movable from its initial position to an overcentered position upon movement of the back frame from its collapsed position to its open position, said lower bar, when in its overcentered position, resiliently gripping said binding firmly between said upper and lower bars, and when the binding of a book is so gripped, said frames being at least partially restrained from moving from their open to their folded positions.
 6. A book holder and book stand as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lower bar and said trunnions are substantially coaxial, said lower bar being spaced from said upper bar a distance less than the thickness of the binding of a book to be held on said holder, whereby said binding, when inserted between said bars, is resiliently gripped thereby regardless of the relative position of said front and back frames.
 7. A book holder and book stand as set forth in claim 1 wherein said front and back frames are made of relatively stiff, resilient wire. 